Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Catriona discovers you haven't really been to Croatia until you have seen Plitvice Lakes.

The 300 square kilometre Plitvice Lakes National Park, around 2 hours from Zagreb, is the green heart of Croatia. Catriona was shown around by guide Katika Peljak, Croatia’s first female ranger.

It’s hard to imagine that just over 20 years ago this beautiful area was a war zone. Now it is the country’s prime tourism destination.

The highlight is an 8 kilometre string of sixteen turquoise lakes linked by a series of waterfalls and cascades. Water enters the park from nearby mountains, and lakes are separated by natural dams of travertine deposited by moss, algae and bacteria. Woodlands are populated by deer, bears, wolves, rabbits, badgers, boars and rare birds.

It’s divided into upper and lower lakes. Upper lakes are surrounded by thick forests and are connected by lots of waterfalls. Lower lakes are smaller, shallower and vegetation isn’t quite as lush.